Harry Redknapp takes over as manager at QPR on a two-and-a-half-year deal

Premier League bottom side QPR have named Harry Redknapp as their new manager.

Last Updated: 24/11/12 1:21pm

Former Tottenham boss Redknapp has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal and he will be in the stands at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon to watch his new team tackle Manchester United.

The 65-year-old, who left Spurs at the end of last season, has a big task on his hands, with QPR already four points adrift at the bottom of the table, having accrued just four points from their first 12 games.

Redknapp said: "I'm delighted to be back in the managerial hot-seat at QPR. When I spoke to the shareholders and they told me about their plans, I knew this was too good an opportunity to turn down.

"There's no doubt there's a lot of ability in the squad but, for one reason or another, things haven't gone as well as everyone expected since the start of the season. I can't wait to get to work and get the results necessary to kick-start our season.

"It's down to the players, really. They haven't performed to their potential and we have to pick up results over the final two thirds of the season and get ourselves out of trouble."

Asked if he would be adding to his squad in the transfer window, Redknapp said: "I haven't discussed the money situation with the board. There are some good players here and, if we get them performing, we might not need new players in January."

The new boss admitted that he would be interested in recruiting his assistant bosses from Tottenham, Joe Jordan and Kevin Bond.

But he added: "I've still got to sort out my backroom staff. I've got great respect for the boys here, Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki. They're great football men, so we'll see how we go."

Significant coup

The QPR website said: "Redknapp's arrival in W12 represents a significant coup for the club.

"Widely-regarded as one of the best English managers in the business, his track record at the highest level speaks for itself.

"After guiding Portsmouth to an FA Cup final victory in 2007/08, he enjoyed arguably his finest hour in management at Tottenham Hotspur, where he led them into the Champions League for the first time in their history at the end of the 2009/10 season.

"He was also named Premier League manager of the year at the end of that campaign."